CEO of Warrnambool aged care home takes leave following bullying, intimidation claims

An aged care home that failed numerous safety standards and raised the ire of the community is recruiting an interim CEO.

Warrnambool’s Lyndoch Living today confirmed it was actively recruiting while current CEO, Doreen Power, takes leave.

It comes amid a WorkSafe inquiry that is underway after allegations of bullying and intimidation of staff and residents were leveled against Ms Power.

Last week south-west MP Roma Britnell used parliamentary privilege to accuse Ms Power of acting with “subterfuge and arrogance”.

Ms Britnell told the Legislative Assembly the aged care provider’s board should remove her.

“The aged care provider has had more than 200 staff leave over the past couple of years amid claims of bullying and intimidation from the upper management that’s created a toxic workplace,” Ms Britnell said.

“I believe Ms Powell is the source of many of these problems, especially the toxic workplace environment.

“I fear residents’ wellbeing is now at risk.”

Community unrest has been growing since Ms Power’s tenure began in Warrnambool in 2015.

In recent years, a community action group called “Keep Lyndoch Living” was formed and amassed over 700 members.

According to its Facebook site, the page was created to “give people in the Warrnambool region a space where they can safely discuss the future prosperity of our primary community-based aged care facility, Lyndoch Living.”

Group member Jim Burke said the situation had continued to deteriorate.

The group wants the federal government to remove the board and chief executive and appoint an administrator.

“They need to sort out a more representative board that is accountable to the community. At the moment they elect themselves.”

More than 100 local applications for membership from community members were denied in 2021 with no explanation.

Prior to her seven-year Warrnambool stint, Ms Power was CEO of Plenty Valley Community Health for two years between 2012 and 2014, and CEO of Seymour Health from 2007 to 2014.

Ms Power has been contacted by the ABC for comment.

Lyndoch Living board president Susan Cassidy said Julie Bertram — the current director of innovation and organizational development — would lead the executive team until an interim CEO was appointed.

“We assure the Lyndoch and broader communities that our priority is the care and safety of our residents and staff, as we face continued challenges caused by workforce shortages in our region,” she said.

“We thank each and every one of our staff members for their dedicated service.”

Audit finds non-compliance

Lyndoch Living has failed numerous safety standards in three consecutive aged care commission audits.

The Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission told the ABC an unannounced audit in April this year at Lyndoch’s hostel and nursing home found the hostel non-compliant in seven areas, and the nursing home non-compliant in five areas.

Areas of noncompliance included falls, choking and unexplained weight loss.

From July 19 to 22 the commission conducted a second unannounced site visit to Lyndoch’s May Noonan Center and is compiling a report now.

“If we assess at any point that consumers are being placed at immediate and severe risk of harm, we will not hesitate to act urgently and without delay to protect consumers.”

Ms Britnell’s federal counterpart, Liberal MP Dan Tehan, said the commission had received 43 complaints about Lyndoch since July last year.

Minister for Disability, Aging and Carers Colin Brooks told the ABC he has written to the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission about Lyndoch Living.

“I am aware of the community’s concerns regarding Lyndoch and have written to the commission to ask for their continued support in working with Lyndoch,” Mr Brooks said.